New Dad Eldee To Release ‘Landmark Mix-tape’

 

 

By Tomi Oladipo

10 years in the game and multi-talented rapper and producer Eldee is still working on churning out more hits and re-inventing his art. The former member of Trybesmen has made his mark as one of the pioneers of urban Nigerian music and is now working on a landmark mix-tape (titled Is It Your Money?) featuring some of the most important acts of this decade.

Eldee has been an ever present name in Nigerian music since his time with the Trybemen over a decade ago.

In 1999 Trybesmen announced themselves as Nigeria’s leading hip hop group, with cuts like Plenty Nonsense, Shake Bodi, and Trybal Marks. The group held numerous sold out shows across the country and beyond, dominating playlists from Lagos to Abuja  and mesmerizing rap fans with their multi-lingual flow, interesting themes and unusual videos. The group split up after their 2000 album L.A.G Style with the members chasing up different interests.

Eldee focused on Trybe Records, which he had set up while still with the Trybesmen. The label had propelled new artistes, such as Sasha, Mr Sid and 2Shotz, into the scene.  But in 2002, Eldee moved to the United States to pursue a career in interactive media. As successful as this new move was, the Kaduna-born artist didn’t give up music, releasing two relatively successful albums Long Time Coming (2002) and Return Of The King (2006). In 2008 Eldee returned to Nigeria with his album Big Boy, using the title track to remind everyone who he was, and to maintain that he’s still pretty much a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s re-emerging music industry. Another huge track from the album was Bosi Gbangba which, with its video, has been a hit not just in Nigeria, but in other parts of Africa and Europe – even earning him a MOBO nomination for best African act this year.

 Is It Your Money? is expected to feature a star studded cast, including international stars such as Yung Joc (who features on a remix of Big Boy), Young Jeezy, Ciara, Black Thought (from The Roots), with many others to be added. There is also a list of Nigeria’s more popular names (such as 2Face, Banky W, Omawunmi and 2Shotz), as well as some of the nu skool (including Kel, Wizkid, Skales, Waje and Chuddy K).

 Eldee  tells NET he will also team up with some Nigerian acts in the diaspora to add to the diverse lineup on the mix-tape. Is It Your Money? is scheduled for release in  December.

 ‘This mix-tape is a milestone in Nigerian music history. No one has had this many artistes on one body of work – not even Alaba’ says ElDee who’s currently in London, spending time with his wife Dolapo who delivered their first baby at St Heilers hospital, London around 3:15 pm on November 17.